Chapter 16: Basic Residential Construction

Question 1

baseboard

Answer 1

A board around the bottom of a wall perpendicular to the floor. Sometimes called wains, they cover the gap between the floor and the wall, protecting the wall from scuffs and providing a decorative accent

Question 2

basement

Answer 2

Story-high space below the first floor that is totally or partially below the exterior grade; floor is usually concrete slab

Question 3

British Thermal Unit (BTU)

Answer 3

A measure of heat used in rating the capacity of heating and cooling systems

Question 4

building code

Answer 4

An ordinance that specifies minimum standards of construction for buildings to protect public safety and health

Question 5

ceiling joists

Answer 5

Attached to the top plate of a wall, these carry the weight of the roof

Question 6

certificate of occupancy (CO)

Answer 6

A certificate issued by a government authority stating that a building is fit for occupancy and there are no building code violations; the end result of a successful building permit

Question 7

concrete slab

Answer 7

A flat, horizontal reinforced concrete area, usually the interior floor of a building but also an exterior or a roof area

Question 8

crawl space

Answer 8

The space between the ground floor and the first floor; frequently found in houses without basements that are not built on a slab foundation

Question 9

eave

Answer 9

The overhang of a sloping roof that extends beyond the walls of the house

Question 10

fascia board

Answer 10

A flat strip of wood or metal that encloses the ends of the rafters; gutters are usually attached to this

Question 11

floor joists

Answer 11

A horizontal board laid on edge, resting on the beams that provide the main support for the floor. The sub flooring is nailed directly to this

Question 12

footings

Answer 12

A concrete support under a foundation, chimney, or column that usually rests on solid ground and is wider than the structure being supported. They are designed to distribute the weight of the structure over the ground

Question 13

foundation wall

Answer 13

The masonry or concrete wall below ground level that serves as the main support for the frame structure. They form the side walls of the basement or crawl space

Question 14

frame

Answer 14

The wooden skeleton of the house consisting of the floors, walls, ceilings, and roof

Question 15

frieze board

Answer 15

A wooden board fastened at the top of the exterior wall under the eave soffit to prevent penetration of weather elements; frequently the base for additional exterior trim.

Question 16

girder

Answer 16

A heavy wooden or steel beam supporting the floor joists and providing the main horizontal support for the floor

Question 17

header

Answer 17

The extra thick framing over doors and windows to bear the weight of the building above the opening

Question 18

house wrap

Answer 18

A synthetic material used to protect buildings

Question 19

HVAC

Answer 19

An acronym for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning

Question 20

insulation

Answer 20

Pieces of plasterboard, asbestos sheeting, compressed wood-wool, fiberboard, or other material placed between inner and outer surfaces, such as walls and ceilings, to protect the interior from heat loss. works by breaking up and dissipating air currents

Question 21

pier

Answer 21

A column, usually of masonry block or steel-reinforced concrete. are evenly spaced under a structure to support the weight. May also refer to the part of the wall between the windows or other openings that bear the wall weight

Question 22

pitch

Answer 22

The slope of a roof measured as the vertical distance in inches (rise) divided by the horizontal disatance in feet (run)

Question 23

rafter

Answer 23

One of a series of sloping beams that extends from the center ridge board to an exterior wall and provides the main support for the roof

Question 24

ridge board

Answer 24

A heavy horizontal board, set on edge at the apex of the roof, to which the rafters are attached

Question 25

roofing felt

Answer 25

Sheets of flat or other close-woven, heavy material placed on top of the roof boards to insulate and waterproof the roof

Question 26

R-value

Answer 26

The insulation value of materials. The higher this is, the more resistant the material is to the transfer of heat

Question 27

sheathing

Answer 27

Insulating material that is applied to the wall framing; siding is applied on top of this

Question 28

shingles

Answer 28

Exterior roofing material frequently made of fiberglass, asphalt, or wood

Question 29

siding

Answer 29

Boards nailed horizontally to the vertical studs, with or without intervening sheathing, to form the exposed surface of the outside walls of the building. may be made of wood, metal, or masonry sheets

Question 30

sill

Answer 30

The lowest horizontal member of the house frame, which rests atop the foundation wall and forms a base for the studs. The term can also refer to the lowest horizontal member in the frame for a window or door

Question 31

soffit

Answer 31

The external underside of the eave; usually contains ventilation for the attic and/or roof

Question 32

sole plate

Answer 32

The bottom of the wall frame that connects the studs to the flooring

Question 33

stud

Answer 33

The vertical members in the wall framing, usually placed 16-24 inches apart and serve as main support for the roof and/or the story above

Question 34

subfloor

Answer 34

Boards or plywood sheets nailed directly to the floor joists, serving as a base for the finish flooring. is usually made of rough boards; although some houses have concrete sub-flooring

Question 35

top plate

Answer 35

The top part of the wall framing that connects the stud to the ceiling framing